Wrestling with rice

All pacific nations rely heavily on carbohydrate in their diets. Plants such as cassava, breadfruit and yam grow readily and are farmed extensively in small gardens. The high rainfall and warm climate mean that self sufficiency in these crops is relatively easy. Unlike many of their neighbours, the Solomon Islands have largely turned from these indigenous crops to an exotic source of carbohydrate – rice.



Opinions vary as to why this has occurred. During the Second World War there were large numbers of Japanese troops occupying many of the islands and this was probably the Solomon’s first exposure to the new food. Shortly after the Japanese occupation bloody fighting resulted in even larger numbers of American troops occupying the islands. Interestingly they too were eating rice as it was a compact, long lasting source of energy. Regardless of the initial cause, the Solomons largely turned away from their traditional foods and embraced rice as a staple.
Recently the cost of rice has risen dramatically. Almost weekly increases have seen the cost of a 20kg bag jump from $75 SBD (Solomons Dollars) in 2003 to $120 SBD today. As a reference the average wage is about $32 SBD a day.



Rice has not just been adopted by the urban population either. Outlying islands, of which there are many, also rely heavily on the imported food. Because of high fuel costs and limited, primitive transport a 20 kg bad of rice can cost these people (who earn much less) as much as $170 SBD. Increasingly high food costs have caused even more migration from outlying islands to the capital, a source of much recent ethnic tension.



Such increases have resulted in divided attitudes regarding a solution. Many young people, tired of what they see as the destructive influence of western trade, would like to see the price rise as a motivator to return to self sufficiency. One young cassava seller in the market told me



“I think it is a good thing that prices of rice is increasing as most of us residing in Honiara are too dependant on rice, therefore we never make our own gardens or eat other local produces. Maybe this will make people think and stop relying on rice too much and start considering other food crops.”



Government campaigns promoting national pride have encouraged this attitude which is ironic because the government has quite a different solution in mind. Rather than encourage a return to native crops, the experience of some African nations is being used as an example from which they might learn. Rice was initially farmed in Uganda with poor results until a strain known as Nerica was developed. This suited the local environment and produced much greater yields.
Government corruption (which is rife) means that any profit making industry will be encouraged in favour of self sufficiency. The government wants to engage private firms to start farming rice locally. While this would remove much of the importation costs and potentially lower retail prices it seems inevitable that it will be yet another target for corrupt government practices.

Boys delivering rice with typical seriousness